Stationary golf tee



Feb. 11, 1930. MERLO STATIONARY GOLF TEE 2 She ets-Sheet 1 Filed March 7, 1929 #unMMEFM J 7 EFT/Elm;

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STATIONARY GOLF TEE Filed March 7, 1929 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 ,L? O Q 8 m, /9 /Z 2/ l f 4 I o o I o o i g I 1 0 1 i Q I Patented Feb. 11, 1930 UNITED STATES EUGENE ANGELO MERLO, OF BANGOR, WISCONSIN I STATIONARY-GOLF TEE Application filed March 7, 1929. I Serial No. 345,099.

This invention relatesto an improved golf tee, andit has more particular reference to one which is stationary or permanent; that is rigidly embedded in the golf course at the entrance end of the fairway.

The purpose ofthe invention is to do away with the carrying of small portable tees such as are often misplaced, broken or unhandy while playing. It is further a purpose to do away with sandboxes, such as are used to keep damp sand at the tee. As is-well'known these sand boxes are of considerable annoyance in that they must be filled with sand and the sand in them is usually kept moist. This necessitates the utilization-of a pail of water handy at each teer Sand is more or less of an annoyanceto the golfer and it interferes with the grip of his club and he will sometimes thoughtlessly wipe his hands on his clothing.

The idea embodied in'the improved construction is the provision of a tee which is permanently embedded in the fairway and which is constructed to permit convenient use and to allow it to well serve as a more efficient substitute for the usual portable type of tee. One feature of the invention is that it-includes a base plate embedded in the ground and havinga wear plate on its top which-is of a suitable-durable material so as not to become disrupted underthe action of impacts or blows from the golf club. Another feature embodied in the invention is the employinent of a depressible or rectractible ball support which isdesirable in that in the event that one stepped on it, it would simply telescope into the base without becomin injured. A further feature is in having a golf tee or ball support adjustably mounted in order 40 that it may be projected to the desired point above the surface of the base.

A further feature is in the adjusting means which is located on a plane below the surface substantially 'flush' with the surface of the through a golf tee structure constructed in accordance with the present invention.

Figure 2 is a top plan view of the same.

Figure 3. is a transverse vertical section taken approximately upon the plane of the line 3-3 of Figure 1.

Figure 4 is a horizontal view taken approximately on the plane of the line 4'4 of Figure 1 with the top or. wear plate removed.

Figure 5 is a bottom plan'view of the complete structure.

Figure 6 is a transverse vertical section on the line 6-6 of Figure 2. l

In carrying out the inven'tionI provide a block like base 7 which may be an ordi-' nary wooden block having a central portion cut out to provide an elongated recess. This forms a compartment or pocket for reception of the adjusting means for the tee.. At one end is-a cross plate 9 having an adjusting screw 10 threaded therethrough and the adjusting screw has universal and ball and socket connection at 11 with one end ofa lever 12 fulcrumed adjacent one end as at 13. The last namedend carries a spring arm 14 whichis provided with an upstanding cor rugated stem or shank 15 over which the rubber sleeve 16 is fitted The sleeve provides the tee proper, and the ball is placed on this sleeve in an obvious manner. A cover and wear plate is designated by the character 17 and this comprises a slab of hard rubber and having an opening 18 through which thetee is projectable. There is also a bottom cover plate 19 at one end of which is a depressed portion 20 forming a dirt and sand collecting pocket. At 21 are holes for receiving. the stakes 22 which serve to fasten the com plete device in the ground, and obviously the device is arranged, so that the wear plate is fairway.

The structure is such that by adjusting the v screw, the lever 12 and a spring 1 may be operated as a unit about the fulcrum to project thetee 16 to the desired elevation.-

However, the spring is such as to allow the tee to be depressed through the opening 18 and into the recess 8 and the pocket 20 to prevent breakage in case it is stepped on. in

fact, considerable flexibility is embodied in this arrangement to take care of glancmg blows from the club and to avoid breakage from the hands of incompetent players.

It is thought-by considering the description in connection with the drawings, the reader will obtain a clear understanding of theconstruction; features and advantages of the invention. Therefore, a more lengthy description is regarded unnecessary.

Minor changes in shape, size, and rearrangement of details coming within the field of invention claimed may be resorted to in actual practice if desired.

Having thus described the invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is 1. In a golf tee structure of the class described, a recessed base, a lever pivotally mounted in the recess in said base, adjusting means for the lever at one end of the lever, av spring carried by the opposite end of the lever, and a tee mounted on said spring.

2, In a structure of the class described, a recessed base, a cover plate for said base having a tee hole therein, a lever mounted in said recess, adjusting means for the lever, spring arm carried by the lever, and a tee mounted on the springarm and adjustable through said tee hole.

In a golf tee structure of the class described, a base having a longitudinal slot formed therein and providing a recess, a bottom plate bridging said slot, a top plate also bridging said slot and formed with a tee hole at one end of the slot, aleverpivotally mounted in said recess between the bottom and top plates, adjusting means at one end of the lever, a spring arm carried by the opposite end of the lever, and upstanding flexible tee mounted on said spring arm and project-able upwardly through said tee hole.

In testimony whereof I aflix my signature.

EUGENE ANGELO MERLO. 

